Alonso to Test Ferrari Car in Valencia

Fernando Alonso doesn't have to sneak around and wear casual clothes when visiting the Ferrari headquarters in Maranello. From now on, he is an official Ferrari driver, as the contract with Renault ended on December 31st of last year. However, the Spaniard still has to wait until February to step behind the wheel of a Ferrari, as reported by the news agency Europa Press.

According to the aforementioned source, Alonso's racing debut with the prancing horse is scheduled for February 1st, at Valencia. The last day of January will mark the end of the testing ban imposed by the International Automobile Federation (FIA) to all the F1 teams during winter days, which means all action will start as of next day.

The test will take place on the Ricardo Tormo circuit, approximately 20 kilometers away from the port city, where MotoGP races usually take place. The Valencia-based circuit has become a regular stop for all teams (as far as testing is concerned) in recent years, because of the warm weather and good testing conditions.

Also, it won't be only Ferrari's Alonso to test an F1 car on the Ricardo Tormo circuit on February 1st – a testing session that will last for 3 days – but the majority of the F1 teams announced their presence. Some newly entrants might miss out due to lateness in developing their 2010 challengers, but other than that everyone should make it to the test, even if some will come with their 2009 cars.

Needless to say, the grandstands of the Valencia circuit will be filled with an enthusiastic Spanish crowd, as this will be their first chance to see countryman Alonso dressed in an all-red racing suit. Ferrari will likely come to Valencia with their 2010 car, as their projected car launch is believed to be for the end of January.